Charles Templeton and Billy Graham had been charismatic, soul-winning evangelists who worked together in the 1940s—before Templeton renounced his faith in Christ and became an atheist.
Templeton was in his 80s when he completed his book Farewell to God, and in it he recalls a frank discussion he had with his old friend, Billy:
“In the course of our conversation I said, ‘But, Billy, it’s simply not possible any longer to believe, for instance, the biblical account of creation. The world was not created over a period of days a few thousand years ago; it has evolved over millions of years. It’s not a matter of speculation; it’s a demonstrable fact.’
‘I don’t accept that’ Billy said. ‘And there are reputable scholars who don’t.’
‘Who are these scholars?’ I said. ‘Men in conservative Christian colleges[?]’
‘Most of them, yes,’ he said. ‘But that is not the point. I believe the Genesis account of creation because it’s in the Bible. I’ve discovered something in my ministry: When I take the Bible literally, when I proclaim it as the word of God, my preaching has power. When I stand on the platform and say, ‘God says,’ or ‘The Bible says,’ the Holy Spirit uses me. There are results. Wiser men than you or I have been arguing questions like this for centuries. I don’t have the time or the intellect to examine all sides of the theological dispute, so I’ve decided once for all to stop questioning and accept the Bible as God’s word.’”
(Excerpt from Farewell to God, 7-8)
From Parchment and Pen Blog @ Credo
More at http://thegospelcoalition.org/blogs/justintaylor/2013/05/09/charles-templeton-missing-jesus/
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There came a time in my life when I, too, had to settle the issue of Bible inerrancy (no errors in scripture) once and for all. I concluded that all my doubts and inner debates were irrelevant—if I really believed that the Bible is written by an all-knowing, all-powerful, and ever-present God (the Holy Spirit).
The Holy Spirit is a person, as real as my granddaughter throwing pillows in my face; as real as my wife whom I kiss good morning; as real as my grown sons who squash me with bear hugs.
The Spirit of Truth challenges my intellect every time I read the Bible. He feeds my inner consciousness (the eternal me), and channels my thoughts and prayers directly to God. He points me to Jesus Christ, once crucified, dead — and now alive to intercede for me.
The error-free Word of God is the only light bright enough to illuminate the path to eternity — for me and my family who follows after me.
Do I need peace? I ask.
Do I need advice? I ask.
Do I need courage? I ask.
Do I need comfort? I ask.
Jesus tells me in Luke 11:9-13:
9 “So I say to you: Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. 10 For everyone who asks receives; the one who seeks finds; and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened.
11 “Which of you fathers, if your son asks for a fish, will give him a snake instead? 12 Or if he asks for an egg, will give him a scorpion? 13 If you then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him!”
Your [God’s] word is a lamp for my feet, a light on my path. ( Psalm 119:105)
Guide me in your truth and teach me, for you are God my Savior, and my hope is in you all day long. (Psalm. 25:5)
ASK.
God will answer.
Cache of Grace 